that recruited and trained black soldiers for the united states colored troops of the union army . a major supply depot was situated at the fort . confederate general sterling price hoped to capture the town , but the closest the confederate force came to the garrison was 10 miles ( 16 km ) away at battle of dry wood creek . the site was strategically important as it was within a southern @ - @ sy ##mp ##athi ##zing area and close to the confederate state of arkansas and the " unstable " indian territory ( present @ - @ day state of oklahoma ) , where many of the members of the five civilized tribes were allied with the confederates . the fort served as a
that recruited and trained black soldiers for the united states colored troops of the union army. a major supply depot was situated at the fort. confederate general sterling price hoped to capture the town, but the closest the confederate force came to the garrison was 10 miles ( 16 km ) away at battle of dry wood creek. the site was strategically important as it was within a southern @ - @ sympathizing area and close to the confederate state of arkansas and the " unstable " indian territory ( present @ - @ day state of oklahoma ), where many of the members of the five civilized tribes were allied with the confederates. the fort served as a